Smart delivery device

ABSTRACT

A smart delivery device including a mailbox member and a package locker member. The mailbox member including a housing having an enclosure for receiving mail. The package locker member including a housing having a secured enclosure for receiving one or more packages, a keypad lock for locking the secured enclosure, a camera for monitoring access to the secured enclosure, a wireless network interface for connecting to the internet and an application interface for interfacing with a remote application. Access to the secured enclosure is granted upon entry of a unique access code on the keypad lock.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein generally relate to delivery devices, and more particularly to a smart delivery device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mail carriers and delivery services deliver mail and packages to a designated location for an individual, such as, a mailbox or a front porch. Oftentimes, the individual is not at home when the delivery occurs, and thus, packages or parcels that cannot fit into the mailbox are left unguarded at the individual's residence. There has been a surge in lost or stolen delivery packages, particularly when the package/parcel is left unguarded at the individual's residence. In some instances, the package or parcel may be delivered to the wrong residence and thus becomes lost. Other times, the left package/parcel may be damaged due to bad weather conditions. When the mail or packages are lost, stolen or damaged, the delivery service or retailer has to replace the them, which costs the company/seller a huge sum of money. Hence, an improved way to deliver mail and packages is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary view of a smart delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary view of a smart delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein describe a smart delivery device including a mailbox member and a package locker member. The mailbox member including a housing having an enclosure for receiving mail. The package locker member including a housing having a secured enclosure for receiving one or more packages, a keypad lock for locking the secured enclosure, a camera for monitoring access to the secured enclosure, a wireless network interface for connecting to the internet and an application interface for interfacing with a remote application. Access to the secured enclosure is granted upon entry of a unique access code on a touch screen interface of the keypad lock.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package locker member includes a scanner for scanning a delivery address of one or more packages to confirm that the one or more packages are being delivered to the correct location.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package locker member includes a microphone for providing audio communication.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package locker member includes an address label which includes the delivery address for mail and packages which are to be received at the device.

In some exemplary embodiments, the device includes a base member for supporting the package locker member and the mailbox member.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package locker member is fixedly attached to a top surface of the base member and the mailbox member is fixedly attached to a top surface of the package locker member.

In some exemplary embodiments, the combination of the mailbox member, package locker member and base member collectively form a standalone unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the mailbox member has a solar panel on its top surface.

In some exemplary embodiments, the device includes a power cord for powering the device.

In some exemplary embodiments, the device includes a battery pack for powering the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a smart delivery device (“the device”). The device is a standalone unit which receives deliveries for a corresponding delivery address. The device may be owned by an individual, organization, etc. The device may be located at the individual's residence or the organization's place of business. The device may be made of any suitable all weather proof material so as to prevent any damage to the mail or packages stored in the device.

Turning to FIGS. 1-2, the device 10 includes a mailbox member 12, a package locker member 14, and a base member 16 which all collectively form a standalone unit. The package locker member 14 is fixedly attached to base member 16 and the mailbox member 12 is fixedly attached to package locker member 14. The package locker member 14 is fixedly attached to the base member by mounting member 33. The mailbox member 12 is fixedly attached to package locker member by mounting member 35. The mounting members 33 and 35 may be implemented with any suitable mechanism, such as, for example, mounting panels. In another exemplary embodiment, mounting member 35 may include a flag glide 38 for holding a flag attached to a flag pole.

The mailbox member 12 has an enclosure 11 for storing mail deliveries. The mailbox member 12 includes a handle 13 and a mailbox door 15 for accessing the enclosure 11 and a mailbox key 37 for unlocking the mailbox door 15 to access the enclosure 11. In some exemplary embodiments, the mailbox member 12 may include a solar panel 30 on its top surface for providing power to the device 10. The solar panel 30 may be used to charge a rechargeable battery unit that may be included in the device for providing power to the device. The mailbox member 12 may include a plurality of expansion slots 40 for attaching a second mailbox member of a second smart delivery device thereto for expansion. The mailbox member 12 may operate as a regular mailbox where mail is received from a governing mail delivery carrier (e.g., United States Postal Service). The mailbox member 12 may be constructed from an all-weather proof material.

The package locker member 14 includes an enclosure 17, a package locker door 18, a handle 19, a keypad lock 20, a camera/scanner 21, a microphone 22, an internet connectivity element 23, at least one light 25, an address label 27, a power cord 29 and a package locker key 39. The enclosure 17 stores packages delivered thereto from various delivery carriers, such as, for example, FedEx, UPS, or any other last mile delivery service carrier. Moreover, the enclosure may store one or more packages left by the owner for retrieval by an individual (e.g., a friend/relative) or a delivery carrier.

The enclosure 17 may be any suitable size. In a preferred embodiment the enclosure is sixteen (16″) inches wide, thirty-two (32″) inches tall and has a depth of twenty-four (24″) inches. The package locker member 12 may be constructed from an all-weather proof material. The package locker member 14 includes an address label 27 integrated into the package locker door 18 which indicates the delivery address for mail and packages which are to be received at the device 10. The address label may include a street number and address. The package locker member 14 may include a plurality of expansion slots 40 for attaching a second package locker member of a second smart delivery device thereto for expansion.

A unique access code must be entered into the keypad lock 20 to access the enclosure 17. The keypad lock 20 may include a touch screen keypad which is integrated on the front surface of the package locker door 18 and a lock which is integrated inside the package locker door and the enclosure 17. When a correct access code is entered into the touch screen keypad, an electrical current is generated and released to the lock bolt to unlock the package locker door. The access code may be a one-time access code issued by the owner of the device 10. In another exemplary embodiment, the access code may be a unique access code assigned to the delivery carrier or individual by the owner.

The keypad lock 20 may be configured to operate with a plurality of access codes and the access codes may be changed by the owner at any time. The touch screen keypad may include a plurality of buttons that are labeled with numbers or letters. In another exemplary embodiment, the keypad lock 20 may not include a touch screen, but instead, the keypad lock may include a plurality of lettered and/or numbered push buttons for entering an access code. The access code(s) for the lock may be any suitable number of digits, such as, for example, four-digits or six-digits, and must be entered in the correct order. When the code is entered correctly, a tone or other sound may indicate that the lock has disengaged. The at least one light 25 may be included near the touch screen keypad to enhance visibility for rainy days or nights. Any suitable light may be used including, for example, reflectors.

In another exemplary embodiment, the keypad lock may offer a security feature that prevents the lock from opening for a period of time after several failed attempts at entering the code. Moreover, the package locker key 39 may be used to unlock the package locker door 18 manually in case of a malfunction of the keypad lock 20.

As noted, the package locker member 14 includes an internet connectivity element 23. The internet connectivity element may include access to WIFI which may be provided by way of a wireless network interface controller (WNIC). The WNIC is a network card used to connect radio based computer networks. Moreover, the package locker member may include Bluetooth technology for transmitting/receiving data from an external device. The internet connectivity element 23 provides a communication interface between the device 10 and an external device.

More specifically, the owner of the device 10 may interface with the device or communicate with an individual accessing the device by synching a computing processing device (i.e., an external device), such as, for example, a laptop, tablet or smart phone to the device using the internet connectivity element 23. The owner must first download a software application (i.e., computer executable instructions) to the computing processing device to perform the synching. Once downloaded, the processor in the computing processing device may synch to the device 10 using the software application, WIFI and/or Bluetooth. Thereafter, the computing processing device may receive notifications of activities to the device and deliveries made to the device.

The camera/scanner 21 may provide pictures and video calls so that the owner may see who delivered or interacted with the device 10. The camera/scanner allows real-time viewing/monitoring of the device 10. The device 10 also includes a microphone 22 which allows for audio communication between an individual/delivery carrier and the owner of the device. Moreover, the camera/scanner 21 may be used to scan the delivery address of a package to confirm that the package is being delivered to the correct address/location.

The device 10 may powered by a hardwired power cord 29 or by battery. The device may include a compartment for the storage of rechargeable batteries which may be charged by solar panels 30. Any suitable rechargeable batteries may be used.

The base member 16 anchors the device 10 to a ground surface. The base member is sturdy and weighted so as to prevent the device from turning over.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the mailbox member 12 may include awning 45 to shield the mailbox member 12 from bad weather conditions, such as, for example, rain, sleet, snow, etc. The awning 45 covers the sides and the top surface of the mailbox member 12. Moreover, package locker member 14 may include awning 47 to shield the package locker member 14 from bad weather conditions. The awning 47 covers the sides and the top surface of the package locker member 14.

Moreover, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.)

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart delivery device comprising: a mailbox member including a housing having an enclosure for receiving mail; and a package locker member including a housing having a secured enclosure for receiving one or more packages, a keypad lock for locking the secured enclosure, a camera for monitoring access to the secured enclosure, a wireless network interface for connecting to the internet, an application interface for interfacing with a remote application, wherein access to the secured enclosure is granted upon entry of a unique access code on the keypad lock.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the package locker member includes a scanner for scanning a delivery address of one or more packages to confirm that the one or more packages are being delivered to the correct location.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the package locker member includes a microphone for providing audio communication.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the package locker member includes an address label which includes the delivery address for mail and packages which are to be received at the device.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a base member for supporting the package locker member and the mailbox member.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the package locker member is fixedly attached to a top surface of the base member and the mailbox member is fixedly attached to a top surface of the package locker member.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the combination of the mailbox member, package locker member and base member collectively form a standalone unit.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mailbox member has a solar panel on its top surface.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power cord for powering the device.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a battery pack for powering the device. 